Despite doomsday predictions, with weekend collections of approximately Rs 12 crore, Dibakar Banerjee’s film is inching towards recovering its costs
Mehul S Thakkar (MUMBAI MIRROR; June 13, 2012)
Dibakar Banerjee’s Shanghai had critics going gaga over it. Though, trade pundits had hinted that the film may not get a blockbuster opening that is expected from an Emraan Hashmi venture, the weekend collection of approximately Rs 12 crore may force them to change their minds. In fact, trade analyst Amod Mehra predicted, “Shanghai will break even. That is for sure.”
However, according to the makers, the film has already recovered its cost. Distributor Rajesh Thadani, for one says it is the satellite rights that have helped its cause. “Though theatrical response to the film is not up to the mark, the satellite rights have helped it sail through,” said Thadani.
Mirror has learnt that the satellite rights of Shanghai have been sold for Rs 8 crore and the music rights for Rs 2.75 crore. Also, 20 per cent of theatrical rights have been sold for Rs 4 crore.
The producers claim that the film was made on a tight budget of Rs 19.5 crore. When asked how they managed to rope in Emraan Hashmi, Abhay Deol, Kalki Koechlin and Prosenjeet Chatterjee on such meager monies, producer Priya Sreedharan explained, “It is not right to compare a small movie to a big budget film. They have all done it for us for a good price. We are glad to have recovered costs.”
Incidentally, Sujoy Ghosh’s Kahaani starring Vidya Balan, had a similar start earlier this year. The film that opened to a small audience, with effective word of mouth publicity, went on to pull bigger numbers in the second week. Shanghai too has a week before Vidhu Vinod Chopra’s Ferrari Ki Sawaari takes over the theatres.
But that hasn’t managed to take away from director Dibakar’s happiness. “The film is doing great. In fact, today I was in a suburban multiplex with Emraan for the 3.30 pm show. There was 60 per cent occupancy,” he told Mirror.
Tags: Abhay Deol Boxoffice Dibakar Banerjee Emraan Hashmi Kalki Koechlin Shanghai
This is what Pratim Gupta tweeted yesterday and this shows Dibakar Banerjee pictures lied.
“Okay Shanghai lovers (and haters) Monday has done better than Friday!”
“Okay for those asking that Shanghai’s Monday is better than Friday is according to Dibakar Banerjee Pictures.”
“And it’s reportedly a bigger first Monday than Kahaani’s first Monday!”
“@sujoy_g same mail going out to everyone… Can forward u if u want…”
“@sujoy_g official mail from Dibakar Banerjee Pictures.”
———–
And today he said
“That “Shanghai’s first Monday is bigger than Kahaani’s first Monday” was a mail from Dibakar Banerjee Pictures. As evident now, it’s untrue.”
“While I don’t mind apologising for tweeting that line, I was only quoting the press release. It’s shameful that wrong info is being shared.”
On a separate note:
My stand that Swades in due course of time will find a bigger stand than Lagaan,also substantiated by it’s rating an inch better than Lagaan on IMDb gets vindicated further by a sample:
“sujoy ghosh @sujoy_g
SWADES is such an awesome film. love every minute of it. didn’t want the film to end, even at some 3 odd hours…”
“The mahurat (start-of-filming prayer) was done on 2 January 2004 and was given by Aamir Khan.”
(Source: IMDb)
Hahaha… What an #irony.
The ‘Perfectionist’ then goes ahead and Bashes the Film at IIM while Shooting for 3Idiots obviously thinking that *No One is Recording it*.
😀
Dibakar Banerjee Says “Shanghai’ Has Recovered Its Cost
Shanghai will make 20r+ even if it crashes in week 2.It is a success.